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I give it 0 stars! The menu had no soup. They meted out a dollop of butter for 5 people (we had to request more butter numerous times). A stream of light blinded my mom and mom-in-law for which our pleas for shade fell on deaf ears (mom-in-law had to eat with sun glasses) The entree that Linda and I ordered was supposed to come with tuna, which, apparently, they ran out of (mind you, it's 5 pm). And to top it all of off, adjacent to our table, we were very fortunate to witness as we ate a mother changing the diaper of her 4 year-old daughter--right at the table!!!!

Check please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the definitions of a word "hinterland" is an area that is remote from urban areas. I wish this restaurant had been VERY REMOTE from our urban area...

I've been to HInterland multiple times and have to say it's a bright spot in the Milwaukee dining scene. How dare they not have soup on the menu?!? Get real...most ridiculous comment ever. Get over it Nuckers.

Perhaps, it should be a top 20 list instead of a top 30, as there are at least 5 that I've been to that do not consistently meet the criteria of "Now that was a dinner." Including Pastiche and Hinterland....

please remove umami moto. If you put this restaurant on the list, you clearly have no idea on how Japanese or Japanese fusion food should taste. Sorry but as a foodie who lived in one of the greatest food cities in this country or the world for that matter, I'm not sure Milwaukee even has 30 restaurants capable of making a list...

workingdonkey and others....is it that bad to expect good food at a restaurant that charges prices of a high caliber restaurant? Umami moto does and the food is horrible. I've given up on sushi in town and now just go to Empire fish and make my own at home or drive to Chicago. I just think so many people in this town are used to the junk served at so many places that once they have well-prepared food, everyone thinks it's SO AMAZING. If you've actually experienced world class dining, you'd understand how bad Milwaukee area is as a restaurant scene. I lived in San Francisco can't even begin to describe how much better the food scene is there. And forget decent ethnic food here. And when you start comparing high-end restaurants, the competition isn't even close. And what you receive from mid-tier restaurants is lacking in Milwaukee.

But it's not all the restauranteurs and chefs faults. If I was a great chef, I wouldn't stay in this city. People are too cheap. And it's a classic Milwaukee attitude of not expecting more and raising expectations, instead lowering your standards to what you have been so accustomed to over the years.

Milwaukee has some great restaurants, but many, many of these wouldn't make this list if you had the dishes they serve actually properly executed. We now go out to eat a few times a month instead of a few times a week and installed a professional kitchen to cook at home instead.

workingdonkey and others....is it that bad to expect good food at a restaurant that charges prices of a high caliber restaurant? Umami moto does and the food is horrible. I've given up on sushi in town and now just go to Empire fish and make my own at home or drive to Chicago. I just think so many people in this town are used to the junk served at so many places that once they have well-prepared food, everyone thinks it's SO AMAZING. If you've actually experienced world class dining, you'd understand how bad Milwaukee area is as a restaurant scene. I lived in San Francisco can't even begin to describe how much better the food scene is there. And forget decent ethnic food here. And when you start comparing high-end restaurants, the competition isn't even close. And what you receive from mid-tier restaurants is lacking in Milwaukee.

But it's not all the restauranteurs and chefs faults. If I was a great chef, I wouldn't stay in this city. People are too cheap. And it's a classic Milwaukee attitude of not expecting more and raising expectations, instead lowering your standards to what you have been so accustomed to over the years.

Milwaukee has some great restaurants, but many, many of these wouldn't make this list if you had the dishes they serve actually properly executed. We now go out to eat a few times a month instead of a few times a week and installed a professional kitchen to cook at home instead.

@TheStigI think you would find the sushi rolls available at Sebastians in Racine well worth the drive. It is NOT an Asian restaurant but Scott's rolls surpass anything I've had in our local Japanese restaurants.

mloew.....thanks for the recommendation. I'm more of a nigiri eater than a roll person but next time I'm in Racine, I'll stop in for a bite.

BTW....if you ever go to a sushi restaurant and want to know how good of a chef they have on hand, order the egg. Ask a Japanese person and they will tell you how they cook their egg will show the skills of the chef. Also, sit at the sushi bar. For Milwaukee, I know it sounds funny, but Fujiyama in Brookfield consistently serves the best sushi for the price in Milwaukee. I rarely get bad fish, which is something so many places seem to have often.

I disagree. Milwaukee has quite a few great chefs and restaurants for its size and people traveling from out of town comment on that. They also note the number of independent restaurants we have here versus chains that are so common elsewhere. Red Circle Inn and Union House are among the best. We've recently had some fun, inspired three course meals at Lagniappe for a price of around $ 20. We've also enjoyed some great French bistro food at Pastiche. I prefer Wasabi over Umami Moto though.

Stig... What city are you referring to? Which of the 30 listed do come close to your standard? If I had a lot of money, I'd eat out all the time, but the only one listed that I'd been to in the last couple of years was Eddie Martinis, and I had the $40 Porterhouse which was so good I can't imagine it being served better anywhere else. I could be wrong; not being a food snob.

RobertConway....I lived in San Francisco for almost 10 years and have been to NYC, LA, and traveled abroad a fair amount. I'm born and raised in Milwaukee, so it's not like I'm some newcomer crapping on MKE. Eddie Martinis is actually very good. It's one of the Milwaukee restaurants I'd recommend. I'm not saying Milwaukee doesn't have any good places to eat...they have many, but my biggest issue is consistency. You go to a place one day, get great service, great food, and the next time it's 180 opposite. If you serve inconsistent food in San Francisco or the Bay Area in general, you'll be out of business in less than a year. Competition is a great thing.

Of the places I've been on the list, I'd recommend Union House, Jackson Grill, and Lagniappe, and Maxie's for good food. Even Dream Dance has good meals, but they are one of the biggest that lack inconsistency. Good thing all my meals there were comped. Roots is pretty good too...the type of restaurant I'd like to see more of in Milwaukee (concept wise, but sometimes execution of the food is weak). I also like heading over to Nessun Dorma for some good bar eats and great selection of drinks. I also used to love Heaven City in Mukwonago but haven't been there since it's under new ownership.

Stig.... I live about 6 minutes from Heaven City but have only been to their bar area for holiday drinks with co-workers. I have friends who have dined at the restaurant and say that even with their gourmet menu it was pricey, but wasn't that good. Thanks for your clarification. You have some wonderful living experience I wish I had on my resume.

Robert...that's too bad. I grew up basically behind Heaven City. Maybe one of the coolest old buildings in all of SE Wisconsin. When I was a kid, we used to run in the tunnels that ran from outside the hotel to the old airstrip in the back. There were also tunnels that led to the river with some old rotted out wooden boats. I'm guessing these were all getaway routes for gansters during prohibition. I'm sure they have all collapsed but cool story. Too bad this place has supposedly turned downhill. When Scott ran it, and only it, they had great food. But when he decided to go BBQ, things fell apart.

I hate to come across as such a snob, but I feel that when you pay top dollar for a meal, you should be treated to a top quality meal. I don't think that is unreasonable to ask. Joe B. is one of the few guys in the area that truly understands that concept, but I'm afraid even he is starting to spread himself a little thin.

Pastiche, Meritage, Maxie's, Harbor House, Eddie's, Manna. All great. I need to try Jackson Grille. I for one am tired of seeing Ristorante Bartolotta on the list. I've been there no less that 5 times and have had bad service and/or bad food all 5 times. I'll never return. For the record, I like Joe B.'s other restaurants (especially Harbor House).

What are you ordering at Ristorante that left such a bad taste? I dine there 3 to 4 times a month and have never had a bad meal. All the staff knows me so it'd be unfair for me to comment on service, but I've never seen someone walk out and say that the service was not exceptional.